Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Lu Dingchuan’s Stance, Known by All to be a Scholar and a Warrior

Prince Shu strode into the private room.

"Greetings, Prince Shu!"

Everyone in the room immediately bowed in unison.

Pei Shaoqing was the exception, remaining seated.

Prince Shu’s gaze instantly fell upon him.

"Your third son said he was going to kill me. I was so frightened my legs went numb, making it difficult to rise and bow. I hope Prince Shu will forgive me," Pei Shaoqing said nonchalantly.

"Baron Pingyang, you are excused." Prince Shu stared at him for a moment before speaking. He then sat down on a chair a servant pulled over and said slowly, "As for my rebellious son’s threat to kill you, let’s not speak of it again. It’s perfectly normal for young men to make a few harsh remarks when they’re jealous over a woman."

’A man might threaten to kill his wife in bed, no?’

’And isn’t she still alive and kicking?’

"Those weren’t just harsh remarks. Your third son ordered his Guards to attack. If I didn’t know a thing or two, my father would likely be a white-haired man burying his black-haired son!" Pei Shaoqing said, shaking his head.

Prince Shu’s expression soured. "Setting the facts aside, is Baron Pingyang entirely blameless in this? It takes two to tango. As I see it, you were both in the wrong. Shake hands, make peace, and let’s be done with it."

’Holy shit, you’re actually setting the facts aside.’

’How am I supposed to reason with you?’

"No! I, Pei Shaoqing, have never been so insulted in my life! Yan Sitong attempted to murder an official. He must be severely punished!" Pei Shaoqing’s attitude was firm and unshakeable.

"Pei Shaoqing, don’t push your luck!" Yan Sitong, his right cheek swollen, shouted indignantly. "Do you really think my Shu Royal Mansion is afraid of you? I’d like to see who dares to arrest me!"

"Silence!" Prince Shu barked, looking coldly at Pei Shaoqing. "In terms of age and seniority, I should address you as my dear nephew. Out of respect for Marquis Weiyuan, I will overlook your rudeness, but do not press your advantage."

"Brother Pei..." Lu Dingchuan started, trying to mediate.

Pei Shaoqing cut him off, directly confronting Prince Shu. "The Jing’an Guard is the Emperor’s Personal Guard, serving His Majesty. By attacking me, was he attempting to rebel? Is he truly dissatisfied with me, or is he venting his dissatisfaction with His Majesty?"

’Escalating things to the political level always works.’

"Pei Shaoqing!" Prince Shu’s face changed dramatically. He shot to his feet and said through gritted teeth, "Don’t you dare make such wild accusations."

He hadn’t expected Pei Shaoqing to be so disrespectful.

Although he had long heard this man was arrogant and domineering.

But it seemed he had still underestimated him.

"Lu Households Commander, what are your thoughts?" Not wanting to argue with Pei Shaoqing any further, he turned his head to Lu Dingchuan.

’As long as Lu Dingchuan doesn’t side with Pei Shaoqing, anything Pei Shaoqing says is just hot air.’

Pei Shaoqing also looked at Lu Dingchuan. "Brother Lu, I’ll accept whatever you decide. I will have no complaints."

Caught in the middle, Lu Dingchuan felt like his head was about to split.

On one side was the Shu Royal Mansion, deeply entrenched in the local region.

On the other was Pei Shaoqing, who had powerful backing and was currently in the Emperor’s favor.

This was a difficult position to be in!

"Your Highness, my apologies. I must ask the third young master to cooperate with our investigation," Lu Dingchuan said, taking a deep breath.

No matter how powerful the Shu Royal Mansion was, its influence was limited to the Shu Region, and he still wanted to climb higher up the ladder.

The Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion boasted two noble titles and was currently basking in imperial favor. Not only did Pei Shaoqing respect him and help him achieve great merits, but crucially, he’d heard the man was petty and held grudges.

If he had to choose, he would choose Pei Shaoqing.

"Lu Dingchuan, are you insane?!" Yan Sitong exclaimed in shock.

Prince Shu’s face turned ashen with anger. This was no longer a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of the Prince’s Mansion’s honor.

Therefore, he could never back down.

Prince Shu whipped his head around to glare at Pei Shaoqing, his tone icy. "To frame someone for treason over a fit of jealousy—what a vicious little bastard! I’d like to see who dares arrest my son today! I will personally write to the Emperor and ask him if *this* counts as treason!"

Lu Dingchuan froze awkwardly. With Prince Shu playing hardball, he truly didn’t dare arrest the man by force, much less lay a hand on the Prince himself.

"Since Your Highness has put it that way, I can only concede to your might," Pei Shaoqing said expressionlessly.

’I’ve already seen where Lu Dingchuan stands.’

’So there’s no need to keep pressing the issue.’

’Besides, the Shu Royal Mansion won’t be around for much longer anyway.’

"Hmph!" Prince Shu shot him a venomous glare, then turned and left with a dark face, a furious rage burning within him.

But the fool Yan Sitong thought he had won. He shot Pei Shaoqing a smug, mocking glance and said, "Aren’t you going to return Jiang Xue to me?"

He had been a simp for so long that it wouldn’t matter if Jiang Xue had only been talking to Pei Shaoqing—even if Pei had taken her body, as long as he could have a taste, he wouldn’t mind joining the club. It was an obsession.

"You blasted fool! Get back to the mansion, now!" Prince Shu’s hysterical roar echoed from outside the room.

Yan Sitong flinched, shot a reluctant glance at Jiang Xue, and scurried away with his tail between his legs.

Lu Dingchuan looked at Pei Shaoqing and sighed helplessly. "Brother Pei, was it really necessary? To offend the Shu Royal Mansion over a mere prostitute."

"Thank you, Brother Lu," was all Pei Shaoqing said.

’Good man. In a few days, you’ll be thanking me.’

"Alas, flying into a rage for a beauty’s sake!" Lu Dingchuan lamented. ’Young men are, after all, still too young. So easily controlled by their little heads.’ "Why be so formal between us? I’ll take my leave first."

"Take care, Brother Lu." Pei Shaoqing rose to see him off.

Lu Dingchuan turned and left with his subordinates.

Xu Jing’s face was flushed. He excitedly raised his cup and said, "Brother Pei, to face Prince Shu without the slightest fear—you are a true man! This calls for a full cup!"

"Brother Xu, you flatter me. I was merely arguing from a position of reason," Pei Shaoqing replied with a smile, returning the toast.

The thought that this man had stood up to a Prince for her sake made Jiang Xue’s heart race.

Even the movements of her hands became gentler.

Seeing the look in Jiang Xue’s eyes, Xu Jing stood up, a hint of envy in his voice. "I’ll go have a few drinks with the others. Miss Jiang Xue, please take good care of Brother Pei."

"Mm," Jiang Xue cooed in response.

Xu Jing left, taking the other two women with him. Only Pei Shaoqing and Jiang Xue remained in the private room.

Only then did Jiang Xue say softly, "It is all my fault. I have caused you to make an enemy of Prince Shu, Young Master."

"It *is* your fault, you little slut." Pei Shaoqing turned and grabbed her by the jaw, his tone calm. "You had someone call Yan Sitong here, didn’t you?"

Then, without waiting for an answer, he released her, straightened his collar, and said nonchalantly, "But it doesn’t matter. No one can take a woman that I, this young master, have set my sights on—let alone a mere Prince."

’Though I don’t actually like Jiang Xue, I do covet her body. It seems she’s a sucker for the whole ’domineering CEO fighting the world for me’ trope, so I don’t mind playing the part.’

"Young Master~" Pushed to the floor, Jiang Xue heard his words, and her heart trembled. How many men would stand up to Prince Shu for a courtesan like her? Her heart was aflutter.

Seeing the time was right, Pei Shaoqing bent down and pressed her onto the soft couch. "If you’re so moved, then repay me with your body."

’The mood is perfect. Can’t let a good courtesan go to waste.’

"Please be gentle with me, Young Master," Jiang Xue said, shy and timid. She closed her eyes, her lashes trembling slightly.

She had just performed that shameful act for Pei Shaoqing in front of so many people. If word got out, the image she had cultivated would surely crumble. Submitting to him was her only choice.

Most importantly, he seemed so dependable.

Some things were too hard to achieve on her own.

If she could rely on Pei Shaoqing to achieve her goals, then giving him her body today wasn’t a loss.

Once the thought of lying flat took root, the world suddenly seemed vast and open.

Her silk skirt unfolded, layer by layer, revealing a jade-like body and a face flushed with passion. She dared not speak aloud, for fear of startling the gods above.

Although Jiang Xue was still a virgin, she had grown up in a brothel and received no small amount of relevant training. Thus, despite being illiterate, she was able to make Pei Shaoqing feel right at home.

Afterward, Pei Shaoqing was immensely satisfied.

This was his best experience yet.

And this was Jiang Xue’s first time. He couldn’t imagine what she would evolve into once she became more experienced.

’Truly, every trade has its specialist.’

’Professional matters should be handled by professionals.’

"Young Master, will you take me into your household?" Jiang Xue asked, having recovered a little, her arms wrapped around Pei Shaoqing’s neck.

’Of course not!’

’Just because she let me make a house call doesn’t mean she can move into my mansion.’

’A woman has to offer me equivalent value to be worthy of the benefits that come with being tied to me in marriage. Being beautiful and good at serving a man is not enough.’

’With my status, the world is not short of beautiful women willing to humble themselves to serve me.’

’If I had to take in every woman I slept with, how many would that be? The Imperial Palace might be the only place big enough to house so many wives and concubines, but I’m not the Emperor.’

’Besides, the more concubines I take, and the more casually I do so, the more cheap and worthless the title of "concubine" in my household would become.’

’Therefore, I must strictly control the number of official wives and concubines, reserving those positions for beautiful women whom I feel bring value to my life.’

Pei Shaoqing gently wiped the tears and sweat from her face and said with sincerity, "Who says a woman must depend on a man? I admire your independent soul far more. I will buy your freedom, but I will not selfishly bind you to my side with the title of concubine.

"Instead of the subordinate relationship between a husband and concubine, I much prefer this sort of friendship we have. I will buy you a small courtyard home in the city, and from now on, you will be my sanctuary, a harbor for my soul. Whenever I am weary, I will come to find you."

’Translation: I won’t marry you, but I don’t want any other man sleeping with you, and I’m not tired of you yet. So, I’ll buy you a house and keep you as my mistress on the side.’

"Oh, Young Master, you say such wonderful things. Those other men who claimed they wanted to marry me only wanted to keep me in their homes like a caged canary, a plaything for their amusement," Jiang Xue said, her eyes misty as she hugged Pei Shaoqing tightly. "But you... you are different."

’Yeah, I’m a bigger scumbag than they are.’

’Whoops, I meant, I respect you more than they do.’

Pei Shaoqing patted her fragrant shoulder. "Besides the house, I’ll also arrange for a few servants to tend to your daily needs. You won’t have to dance or play music to entertain others anymore. You can just live well for yourself."

’The main reason for the servants is to keep an eye on Jiang Xue.’

’To stop her from living in the house I bought, spending the money I gave her, and then fucking cuckolding me on top of it all.’

’If she even shows a hint of it...’

’I’ll delete her (▼ヘ▼#).’

"Mm-hmm, I’ll listen to whatever you say, Young Master," Jiang Xue nodded repeatedly. In her heart, the image of Scholar Wang was already fading.

He was just a poor, talented scholar she had met a few times. How could he possibly compare to the son of Marquis Weiyuan, Households Commander Pei, Baron Pingyang—a man who dared to confront Prince Shu and not lose?

A woman can be sentimental.

But she can also be very pragmatic.

That night, Pei Shaoqing stayed in Jiang Xue’s boudoir.

The news spread, making countless people burn with envy.

Especially those die-hard simps who had personally driven up Jiang Xue’s value and worshipped her like a goddess.

They were utterly heartbroken and could only drown their sorrows in wine.

Meanwhile, Nanny Liu cried her eyes out. Her Treasure Basin had been pierced by Pei Shaoqing! Damn him to hell!

How much money would it cost to cultivate a new top courtesan!

.........

「The next day.」

After brewing overnight, word of last night’s events at Furong Pavilion had already spread—and the more it spread, the more outrageous the story became.

"Did you hear? Last night, Baron Pingyang won Miss Jiang Xue’s heart with half a poem. Yan Sitong got jealous and went to cause trouble, but the Baron easily beat him back."

"There’s more! Yan Sitong then brought in Prince Shu for backup, but Baron Pingyang, in a rage for the beauty’s sake, fought Prince Shu directly and forced him to submit! Miss Jiang Xue was so moved that she shared a night of spring wind with him."

"My dear Miss Jiang Xue! I hope Baron Pingyang was gentle with her! She’s so delicate and frail; she can’t take it!"

"I envy Miss Jiang Xue," a man said.

The people around him instantly scattered, putting several meters of distance between them and him.

"’A thousand questions for the red bean, half for joy, half for a cage.’ Baron Pingyang is a true talent! To be able to compose such a tender poem and also defy the powerful to protect a beauty—it’s no wonder Miss Jiang Xue lost her heart to him."

"Baron Pingyang is skilled in both letters and arms. With just half a poem, he made a beauty bow. We bystanders can only be envious."

Meanwhile, the protagonist of these events, Pei Shaoqing, had just gotten out of bed and was preparing to discuss buying Jiang Xue’s freedom with Nanny Liu.

The person, he wanted.

But the money, he didn’t want to give.

Who could tell him what to do?

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